Beginner beekeeping classes start soon -- honey of a deal!

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Posted Sep. 23, 2012 at 3:15 AM

Posted Sep. 23, 2012 at 3:15 AM

SPRINGVALE, Maine — Are you thinking of adding beekeeping to your gardening or farming expertise? Would you like to learn how to produce your own local honey, and help provide pollinators to your yard and neighborhood?

Don't miss this opportunity to take beekeeping classes in Springvale from Maine State Beekeepers Association experts, through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

Beginner Bee School, a five-week introductory beekeeping course, starts October 16 and continues on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 pm through November 13. The course will cover such topics as the Honey Bee Colony, Constructing Hives, Pests and Diseases, and Honey Production. Students will also have the opportunity to visit local hives for observation and hands-on experience during a field lab.

Experienced instructors are Larry Peiffer, Master Beekeeper and Vice President of the Maine State Beekeepers Association and Richard McLaughlin, President of the York County Beekeepers Association. The course fee is $90 per person, or $140 for a pair of students sharing the text & materials, and includes a one-year membership in the York County Beekeepers Association.

Beekeeping classes will take place at the Anderson Learning Center at 21 Bradeen Street in Springvale. Registration deadline is October 4. For more information and a registration form, please see the Extension website at http://extension.umaine.edu/york/ or contact the York County office of UMaine Extension at 1-800-287-1535 (in state) or 207-324-2814 or rebecca.gowdy@maine.edu.